The Panda Update May Now Be Part of the Latest Google Core Algorithm

With the Panda update being part of the Google Core algorithm we will find sites with high quality content will rank higher on Google.

After this past weekend, it was reported by various SEO websites (like Search Engine Land and Yoast) that there was a Google algorithm update. Other sources noted that search rankings for keywords fluctuated more than usual, guessing that it could be a Penguin update (the algorithm that lessens the effect of weak backlinks). It was unclear exactly which ranking algorithm was at play, but it was clearly a major update.

Google stated it was not a Penguin update, but a “core update”. Eventually, a Google spokesperson confirmed to The SEM Post that their infamous Panda algorithm had been incorporated into their main ranking algorithm.

“Panda is an algorithm that’s applied to sites overall and has become one of our core ranking signals. It measures the quality of a site, which you can read more about in our guidelines. Panda allows Google to take quality into account and adjust ranking accordingly.”

1) What exactly is Panda

Panda is a Google ranking algorithm designed to evaluate whether a website has unique and relevant content for users. It was first implemented in February 2011 and affected almost 12% of all search results. High-quality sites (like news sites) were pushed to the top of search rankings, and weaker ones (those with huge amounts of advertising for example) were pushed down. If your website had one page or section of poor / duplicated content, that meant a search ranking penalty for your entire website.

For the first two years of its existence, Panda was updated almost every a month, and then lessened to two or three times a year just to refine it. This did mean that after you were penalised but amended your content, you had to wait a few months for the algorithm to run again before your changes could influence your rankings.

2) What does this change mean for your site?

With the change, this means your site content will be evaluated on a more regular basis. The main Google ranking algorithm is reported to be updated on a daily basis and runs constantly. If you have poor content you will be penalised quite swiftly. On the other hand, it does mean any changes or fixes you make will be processed much quicker, as opposed to the previous Panda update changes that happened only a few times a year.

This could be the main reason for the change, but it could be that Google is satisfied with Panda and thinks that it doesn’t need any more major refinements.

3) How to Panda-proof your website

If your site has suffered a dip in search traffic, it’s time to evaluate your site.

Determine if your site has unique content

You can utilise an online plagiarism checker like Copyscape to evaluate the content on each page of your website, checking to see if you have duplicated content. This can be a lengthy process as you have to do this page-by-page (with a 10-page limit per day) unless you purchase Copyscape Premium. With their premium offering, you can also detect if other sites have plagiarised your own content.

Check the quality of your existing content

Here are a few examples of how to improve your content:

  • Have a few people read through your site content to check for spelling and grammatical errors. A second option is to paste your content into a Microsoft Word file and run the spellchecker to find any faults.
  • Reading level – Ensure that your content is easy to read (for all readers to understand, no need for nonsensical or over-technical jargon). But beware that it’s not too simple or Google will penalise you, for example: “I am happy. I am very happy. My website is popular”.
  • When placing outgoing links (maybe when listing sources), only link to authoritative websites. You can check a site’s domain and page authority with Moz. We recommend only linking to domains with a MozRank of 60 or higher.
  • Make sure all your facts are up-to-date and relevant for your users.
  • All your links should be working, your images must all load. You should never have a site or page look incomplete or abandoned.
  • Every piece of content should stay on-topic. You could be penalised if your articles stray to other topics regularly, or cover a variety of topics that are not usually linked to each other. Google wants to promote sites that offer consistent and relevant content to users.
  • Your contact information should be clearly displayed on each page.
  • As an onsite display of legitimate business, include “About Us”, “Mission Statement” or other similar information.
  • Display your copyright information on every page, and dates for your articles/blog posts.

There are also technical aspects your SEO provider should attend to:

  • Check for duplicate titles and meta descriptions
  • Ensure all TITLE and ALT tags are added
  • For blogs, your internal links should not be stuffed with your keywords

Add to existing content to add more value to your users

If you want Google and other search engines to consider your pages to have high-quality content, we recommend you publish each with a minimum of 1000 words. Last year Moz and BuzzSumo teamed up to analyse over 1 million articles and found that 85% of all articles contained less than 1000 words, but that articles with more content averaged more shares and links.

BuzzSumo research - articles with more content average more shares and links

But remember – don’t just add words for the sake of having more words – ensure that the extra content genuinely adds value to the existing writing. Also, add relevant images and videos if you can as visual content can influence a user’s perception of your site. Also, videos and infographics are two types of visual content that people love to share via social media.

Add more pages – Google loves unique content. It makes sense that if you have more informative and unique content, your search rankings will improve. Add more pages to your site, and have each optimised for relevant keywords.

How to Thicken Up Thin Content? (with Examples)

1. Add More Detail and Depth

Thin content often lacks depth, providing only surface-level information. Adding more detail involves explaining concepts thoroughly, providing background information, and expanding on key points.

Example: If your content briefly mentions the benefits of drinking water, you can expand it by explaining each benefit in detail, like how hydration improves skin health, aids digestion, and boosts energy levels. Include scientific studies or personal anecdotes to make it more engaging.

2. Use Visuals and images in your content

Visuals such as images, infographics, charts, and videos can make your content more engaging and easier to understand. They help break up text and provide visual examples of your points.

Example: If you’re writing about gardening, include images of different plants, infographics showing the best planting times, and videos demonstrating gardening techniques.

3. Include Examples and Scenarios (Google loves examples in content)

Examples and scenarios help illustrate your points and make them more relatable to your readers. They show how your information can be applied in real-life situations.

Example: When discussing time management techniques, include examples like how a busy professional uses time-blocking to manage their workday effectively.

4. Incorporate Quotes and Expert Opinions

Adding quotes from experts or referencing authoritative sources can add credibility to your content and provide additional insights.

Example: In an article about healthy eating, include quotes from nutritionists or link to studies, like “Dr. Jane Smith, a renowned nutritionist, says, ‘Eating a balanced breakfast can improve concentration and productivity throughout the day.’”

5. Answer Common Questions

Think about what questions your audience might have and answer them within your content. This not only adds value but also helps with SEO as people often search for specific questions.

Example: If you’re writing about setting up a home office, answer questions like, “What’s the best chair for long hours of work?” or “How can I reduce distractions at home?”

6. Add Statistics and Data

Supporting your points with relevant data and statistics can make your content more authoritative and convincing.

Example: In an article about remote work, include statistics like, “According to a 2023 survey, 70% of employees prefer remote work options.”

7. Expand on Subtopics

Identify smaller subtopics within your main topic and provide detailed information on each one.

Example: If your main topic is digital marketing, you can have sections on social media marketing, email marketing, SEO, and content marketing, with detailed information on each.

8. Add Case Studies (Extremely important in 2024)

Sharing personal experiences or detailed case studies can make your content more relatable and provide practical examples of how your advice works in real situations.

Example: If you’re writing about starting a small business, share your own journey or a success story of a client or acquaintance, detailing the steps they took and the challenges they faced.

Closing Thoughts

The only takeaway we have from this change is that it will result in higher-quality content being created, and that will only be good for users. Contact Lilo for more information on how to make sure that your website meets Google’s content guidelines.

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